AT CAMERON PARK, THE CONTRAST BETWEEN ALEX AND LEO

By Juan Montoya
If there were two more differing candidates fighting for a public position, it would be hard to find a more striking contrast than the two in the runoff for Cameron County Precinct 2 to replace Ernie Hernandez, who resigned in disgrace to escape criminal prosecution.
There was attorney Alex Dominguez, a successful young attorney who has carved out a niche in local legal circles. Son of Mexican immigrant parents who raised their brood of 10 sons and daughters to become successful educators, he started out as a high school teacher and then went on to get his law degree. Sharp, articulate, and quick on his feet, he exudes an air of confidence and can-do. His ads feature him in shirtsleeves looking straight at the camera.
"I see some friends here and some who I haven't met," he told the audience.
"The reason I ran for office is because I was getting desperate on how things were going, so desperate in fact that I literally have pulled out my hair," he said referring to his shiny pate. "I think that the person who should be this precinct's commissioner...should be someone who won't hesitate to do something immediately."
He refers, of course, to the fact that Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos has said that he will probably appoint whoever wins this runoff to finish Hernandez's unexpired term after the May 27 election.
And then there's Leonel Lopez.
Somewhat disheveled even in a white shirt and tie, he is dissembling, even furtive, as he reels off his qualifications, and isn't hesitant to say that there are somethings that he can't do immediately.
He tells the people gathered there that he knows their problems, that he is acquainted with the flooding and health issues facing them. He has a physician's degree from Mexico, has been and epidemiologist, an emergency management director, and lately, a provisional embalmer and funeral director. He has mastered  the art of the undertaker's demeanor and even unconsciously strikes the pose. His wife is District 404th Judge Elia Cornejo-Lopez who joined the audience as the forum progresses.
"I have an actual knowledge on how to respond to those things," he tells them about flooding and the problem with the resaca behind the colonia which was never addressed by Hernandez before he resigned under fire. "I will try to give you an answer to your questions; perhaps you will like some of them, perhaps there are some you won't."
The forum took place at the Iglesia Bautista Fundamental on Eduardo Street which is led by Pastor Victor Alvarez, a former political candidate for county commissioner himself. The candidates were given a list of the question beforehand and they deal with the day-today issues facing the colonia an nearby subdivisions. Cameron Park is an unincorporated areas surrounded by the City of Brownsville and is serviced by the county.
Moderated by a member of the congregation named Lupita, the meeting goes off into the various issues; unkept vacant lots, immigration reform, the stagnant resaca, green space for a neighboring subdivision, public lighting for the colonia, finishing the paving of all the streets at Cameron Park, funding for the projects, etc.
From the outset, it was obvious that while Lopez advocated a moderate and general response to the community's problems, Dominguez stressed immediate, specific on-the-ground responses from existing departments, agencies and assets.

On Unkept Lots:
Lopez: Calls it an "evil," says problem doesn't come from Cameron County Dept. of Health. Says there is a lack of personnel with two health inspectors for entire county. Would form a committee of residents to petition commissioners court and exert influence on the county and other departments . "Si se puede," he said.
Dominguez: Says there are three solutions. One, not only work with Dept. of Health to encourage homeowners to clean their lots because of the oncoming mosquito season, but also advocated an educational effort for residents to clean their lots and show them where to get rid of their refuse. Two; Says residents should be made aware of the consequences of not cleaning their lots with enforcement. Third: Advocates the use of community volunteers and the use of people who have to perform community service for the courts to remove trash and weeds and spruce up the colonia.

Are you for immigration Reform and what would you do to help?:
Dominguez: Yes. Said he favored immigration reform and cites his own parents' journey from Mexico and their laboring as agricultural migrants from Texas to Wisconsin. Knows what people do when they seek a better future. As county commissioner he would testify before Congress and petition local U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela to help him change the laws. People already live here, they should be able to pay taxes like anyone else and shouldn't have to live in fear. As a lawyer, said he can be an advocate for immigration reform an recalls when he visited Cameron Park at the invitation of local residents to advise them on their immigration problems.
Lopez: Change is necessary. Agreed with my Dominguez that the commissioner's position is to be an advocate for residents and be your voice. "If you ask us to be your voice in Washington, in Austin, or anywhere, I'll do it. Why? Because I'm from here. I know the people here...There's no reason why there should not be change. I've lived here and have seen many things that I don't agree with. If we need to travel somewhere, there's no reason why we can't. Maybe one advangage that I have is that I have lived longer and have seen more and I understand those things."

The problem in Cameron Park with the resaca and drainage. What would you do to prevent flooding?
Lopez: Said he knew the problem having worked with the health department and the Division of Emergency Management. Said the urban growth has increased runoff and that increased construction had resulted in flooding. Said each time that flooding occurred and water stagnates resulting in dangers of mosquito-borne disease. As commissioner, he said he would help as much as he could with the money available. But he said that ecological and financial studies needed to be done. Said he had the will to help the colonia and make a change.
Dominguez: Said when he got the question that he investigated the problem and contacted the city about how their resaca cleanup was progressing. Was told that the Cameron Park resaca was on the list but that it would be years. Said the colonia could not wait that long and said he contacted the U.S. Corps of Engineers in Corpus Christi and they told him they would come over as soon as they were given federal funds from Washington to do it. Said he could enlist the help of U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela.  The Corps told him that the State of Texas could also be made to help in the effort and for that he could enlist the help of state Rep. and State Senator Eddie Lucio III, and Eddie Lucio Jr., respectively. Said he would go to Austin to petition the state for funds but said property owners adjacent to the resaca should also bear responsibility.

Help Cameron Park finish paving the last two streets in the colonia: If elected, would you finish paving the streets and would you do it in six months?
Lopez: Said he would do it, but warned that it wasn't a job that could be done in 60 days or in six months. Said that even if the money was there (as he was told by the moderator), there were bound to be changes and weather delays that would prevent the job from being completed. Like any other thing, he said that there was no guarantee the job would be done, but that there were always problems. Said that he was not only concerned that the job be done, but that it be done well. Instead of using caliche he favored putting limestone so that it would last longer and be more firm.
Dominguez: Said when he got the question he contacted the commissioner's office and found that the money was already available and that the topography studies and plans had already been done. Said County Asst. Admin. David Garcia told him the money had not bee set aside specifically for Cameron Park, but that once he was commissioner he could place the item on the commissioners court agenda for their consideration and approval. Said he favored the use of the money even when Hernandez was in office before he resigned and that the correct amount available was between $1 and $1.5 million. "You have waited for years for this and hopefully by this September this problem will have been resolved."